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Deontay Wilder in contention for another shot at WBC heavyweight title

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Fury could be set to vacate WBC title and move on to another opponent, according to promoter Bob Arum.

Deontay Wilder is on standby to fight for the WBC heavyweight world title again following Bob Arum's comments.
The Hall of Fame promoter was speaking about Tyson Fury's next fight and refused to rule out vacating the green-and-gold belt.
Negotiations between Fury and Dillian Whyte for an all-British battle are yet to take place but regardless of the situation, Arum wants his man back in action by March.

There are a couple of stumbling blocks currently stopping Fury-Whyte, including the purse for each fighter as well as an ongoing arbitration court between the WBC and Whyte.

While Whyte was installed as the mandatory challenger for Fury's belt, it is believed he is still in a court battle with the WBC over how long it took him to fight for world honours.

Arum has named Andy Ruiz Jr. and Joseph Parker as possible opponents for Fury should he decide to move on without Whyte.

If the "Gypsy King" does, then he'll be forced to relinquish his world title although Fury will still hold the Ring Magazine belt as well as having the lineal status.
Next in line after interim champion Whyte in the WBC rankings is Wilder, despite back-to-back defeats against Fury, followed by Ruiz, Joe Joyce, Luis Ortiz and Parker at No.5.
"If we can't come to a deal with Dillian Whyte, we'll do a fight for the Ring Magazine belt and the 'lineal' title and we'll pick another opponent," Arum told talkSPORT.
"We've gotta get Tyson back in the ring by the end of March… Frank [Warren] and I are determined to come to him with an opponent that's acceptable and we'd love to do that fight in Cardiff.
"Andy Ruiz Jr is a possibility. Joseph Parker I see had a good victory over Derek Chisora - that could be a possibility.
"And we're looking at a couple of other names that might be appropriate."

Hearn wants fair purse for Whyte

At the start of December, promoter Eddie Hearn provided an update on the current situation and remains hopeful of a positive outcome.

"What we really need to know is, what's the split going to be and what's the negotiation process for that fight?
"We would like to put an offer in to stage that fight and obviously Top Rank will as well but we certainly don't rule out doing a deal with them. It has to be the right deal for Dillian Whyte and it has to be a fair reflection of his value in this fight."
Whyte has not fought since avenging the second defeat of his career to Alexander Povetkin.

The Brixton heavyweight knocked the Russian out inside four rounds in March and was expected to face Otto Wallin in October before pulling out due to a shoulder injury.

While it was seen as controversial, Whyte ignored pleas of rescheduling the bout and will now wait to get his chance of world glory. If he is to face Fury then Manchester and Cardiff are the two locations favourite to host it.

Wilder vs Whyte is fireworks

Wilder's last fight was an 11-round war against Fury - a contest which despite knocking Tyson Fury to the canvas twice, ending in a KO loss for the American.
The "Bronze Bomber" has history with Dillian Whyte and previously claimed that the British slugger had opportunities to challenge him when he was champion.
"Dillian Whyte could've got this work. He ain't s*** to my toilet paper, that I flushed a year ago.

"But let him keep fighting, keep going mate. And soon we shall see each other once more.

"See if he grows some type of balls… He's the bottom of my feet, he's the scum between my toes. That's what I look at him (as).

"He do all this talking, but the time you see him - forget 'see him', if he sees you, (it's like) a mouse in the room.
"He was doing all that talking, but when he came over here, they knew I was in the room, I did not know (he was there)."

Read more: What next for Terence Crawford after WBA confirm Ugas-Spence unification?

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